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RCF Recap: Cavs out grit and grind the Grizz

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  • It’s only fitting that in Memphis, the home of the “Grit & Grind”, the Cavs had to develop a little grit and grind to get out of town with a win. The game was a tale of two halves—the Cavs were outscored by 7 in the first half, then proceeded to outscore the Grizzlies by 14 in the second half. After a sleepy start, the Cavs woke up and played more like the team that is 16-4 in their last 20 games.
  • Let’s just burn the first half tape. 9 turnovers, only 13 3PA and just an overall stagnant, lackadaisical first half showing. The Cavs didn’t play terrible and the Grizzlies didn’t play great but when you account for half of the Grizzlies roster being in the G-League this year, it puts things into perspective.
  • One of the things that defined the Cavs streak was their quick starts, and getting in front of opponents early. Between December 17 and January 30, the Cavs +10.9 first quarter net rating was 3rd best in the NBA. The Cavs were getting up, and by a lot, early.
  • Against Detroit, the Cavs were a +7 in the first quarter, and even in the second quarter. Tonight, the Cavs were even in the first quarter and a -7 in the second quarter. Not quite the runaway starts they’ve been accustomed to.
  • Not to mention, the last two games points allowed at half: 57, and 58. The Cavs 1st half defensive rating during the streak was 107.4, second best in the NBA.
  • Getting back to the game, Jaren Jackson Jr. was not afraid of (future All-Star) Jarrett Allen, and was going at him early and often. Jackson Jr. was 3-6 from the field, and had 9 first quarter points.
  • Turnovers were a problem early, and really got the Cavs in a funk offensively. They had five first quarter turnovers including three within the first five minutes (two by Darius Garland).
  • The Cavs went down 8-11 early and then proceeded to go on a quick 9-0 run that led to a Memphis timeout.
  • If you like sloppy basketball, continue watching into the second quarter. If you don’t skip ahead to the second half. The Cavs had an additional 4 turnovers (14 on the night, 9 in the first half), and allowed 31 Memphis second quarter points.
  • The common theme of the Grizzlies offense was clean looks. Whether it was inside or on the perimeter, the Cavs defense was allowing too many clean looks. They weren’t making it difficult on the Grizzlies and even the most G-League of teams can make open looks.
  • The Grizzlies scored the first seven second quarter points and went on a 14-3 run to start the quarter. The Cavs went down by as many as 12 in the second quarter.
  • The Cavs were getting frustrated and it showed. After a no-call on a Mitchell drive, both Mitchell and JB Bickerstaff got technicals. Mitchell for clapping and yelling at a ref, and Bickerstaff for going outside of the coaches box to give a ref a piece of his mind. Following that up, Okoro had a bit of an uncharacteristic foul following a loose ball. The Cavs were down, and frustrated.
  • The Cavs got through the rest of the quarter but not without a 8-2 run to end the second quarter and give them a bit of momentum to carry into half.
  • The Cavs stats at half were not pretty. The bench was a combined -50 (!) and the team was 4-14 from the paint area. Oh, and the Grizzlies put up 58 points and the Cavs never led in the second quarter. Mitchell had 17 points, Allen had 12 points and the next highest scorer was Niang with 5.
  • Stella, err Garland, got his groove back a bit in the second half. The Cavs came out and scored on 5 of their first 7 possessions including five Garland points and one assist. The second half was probably the best, cleanest basketball he’s played over the last few halves.
  • Allen went out early in the third quarter after an inconspicuous defensive play left him hobbling. The broadcast would deem it an ankle injury and said he would not return. Due to a statkeeper’s retraction, they took back a rebound from Allen leaving him with 14 points, 9 rebounds and losing his double-double streak.
  • To Damian Jones credit, he responded with extra minutes with 7 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 assist and +6 in 9 third quarter minutes. After being down seven halfway through the third, Jones led a 8-0 run (with the streak lineup) to take a lead for the first time since the first quarter.

  • Entering the fourth quarter, Mitchell had 21 points, Allen had 14 points and LeVert had 10. At the time, there really wasn’t a consistent scorer outside of Mitchell. The role players responded with Strus, LeVert, and Merrill all scoring 6 points each. If you would have said Mitchell scores 4 fourth quarter points, you probably wouldn’t have bet on the Cavs to win.
  • The Cavs defense was night and day from the first to second half. They only allowed 43 second half points, held the Grizzlies to under 38% shooting from the field and 28% from three. The game tightened late and so did their defense.
  • Speaking of which, with Allen out for the game and Bickerstaff not trusting Jones any more than he has to, he went small with Dean Wade as the small ball 5. Without Wade’s play in the fourth quarter, the Cavs don’t win the game. Wade was tasked with guarding Jaren Jackson Jr, and did it quite well. He added 3 points, 3 (big) rebounds, 2 blocks and a +5. Wade led the Cavs at +18 on the night.
  • The fourth quarter was sweaty palms time as the lead shifted back and forth and every possession mattered. Despite that, the Cavs led for 8 fourth quarter minutes.
  • Within the last three minutes, there were some key plays that swung the game the Cavs way. First, a successful Bickerstaff challenge. After Wade was called for a shooting foul on Jackson Jr, the Cavs won a coach’s challenge.
  • Second, were two huge plays by Strus. One to collect a hustle offensive rebound and find LeVert driving for a dunk to put the Cavs up 4 with 100 seconds left. On the next possession down, Mitchell kicked to Strus for a dagger three to put the Cavs up 7 with 76 seconds left.

  • If any player needed the confidence boost of those two plays, it was Strus. He’s really been scuffling lately offensive, and hopefully this is the confidence shot he needs to get back on his feet.
  • The Cavs bench was a +20 on the night.
  • Garland led the team with 19 points created off of 7 assists. He had no turnovers in the second half after three in the first half.
  • Tell me if you spot the difference between first half and second half shot charts.

  • How about that Jarrett Allen?

  • The starters were a +6 and had a net rating of a +33 tonight.
  • The Garland-Merrill-LeVert-Niang-Jones lineup was a -11 in the first half.
  • Up next: The Cavs go back home to take on Wemby and the Spurs Saturday at 8:30PM (ET).

 
I didn’t watch the entire game but it looked like garland was getting beat at the point of attack off of the dribble a few times. I don’t expect perfection but that certainly puts a strain on the defense.

You can look at the two halves as:
1. Shaking off the rust from a b2b game where we had to travel as well.
2. Defensive adjustments. I can’t tell these things on a strategic level. We played Wade at center more out of necessity than desire.

Speaking of Wade, I mean the dude held his own against JJJ. That’s pretty impressive! So Wade can guard say 3-5 now?!? Not Embiid or that caliber, but everyone else? That might come in handy down the line… in fact I think you have your backup 3/4 with Wade, as long as he isn’t afraid to shoot (and yesterday I believe he passed up a wide open driving lane as well).

You can’t be more proud of this team tho. B2b, road, down Mobley and Allen, DJ with the clutch backup big minutes w Wade, Strus again doing the little things and the big things, Caris w the transition steal, DM is impossible not to take for granted because he really should be an AS starter. Garland cleans it up and plays a lag without a turnover, Merrill again hits a couple 3’s in the 4th quarter. JBB hit the right buttons. This is probably up there or better w the Rubio Cavalanche run we had. Just enjoying the ride!

And thanks again @Smooth for all of the hard work!
 
Appreciate the kudos, nate!

The first half seemed to be hangover from it being the second night of a back-to-back after traveling and a team full of guys trying to prove themselves, and a few days off, providing a little bit more juice... The second half the team seemed to wake up more and realize the task at hand...

Wade's resurgence now that he's healthy has been a big, and very needed.. With Okoro in the backcourt and Wade in the frontcourt, they're really well versed to handle any offensive opponents with those two guys at the POA... My concern if those guys are enough come playoff time, and if they can shoot consistent enough come playoff time to keep their defensive value on the floor.. Otherwise, Dean is really showcasing himself as a swiss army knife on defense...
 

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